Grantee-Partners Map
In the 10 years since our launch in 2012, Red Umbrella Fund has given 279 grants to 180 organisations in 68 countries. Every year we share our list of grants including the names of the grantee-partner organisations that request to be published on our website. Organisations that wish to stay anonymous do not have their name or country publicly available. Please contact us if you would like to contact any of our former-grantees or discuss their work.
In 2022 Red Umbrella Fund’s PAC awarded €1,300,000 – our first time giving more than a million in a single year – bringing total grants to €7,886,500!
| Organisation Name | Country | Region | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
Silver Rose
Silver RoseRussia Local Russian Supporting an expanding network of self-help initiatives throughout Russia, Silver Rose works with diverse groups of sex workers – including migrants, those who are HIV positive and those who engage in substance abuse – to advocate for changes in policies which marginalise sex workers. Silver Rose also uses peer support groups and legal volunteers to engage in strategic litigation. Learn more
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Russia | Europe | 2012 |
Sex Worker Open University (SWOU)
Sex Worker Open University (SWOU)United Kingdom Local English This collective brings together sex workers of all genders and sexual orientations, and works closely with sex workers who are migrants. SWOU organizes public events such as film festivals and public debates to educate people about stigma and violations of sex workers’ rights, and uses research to challenge people’s stereotypes about the sex work industry.
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United Kingdom | Europe | 2012 |
Mujeres Del Sur
Mujeres Del SurPeru Local Spanish This group, based in Arequipa, is led by sex workers who are women. Mujeres del Sur challenges police violence through awareness-raising among local communities and leaders, and works to combat police violence through strategic litigation. The organisation advocates for the recognition and protection of the labour rights of sex workers.
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Peru | Latin America | 2012 |
Grupo de Mulheres Prostitutas do Estado Pará (GEMPAC)
Grupo de Mulheres Prostitutas do Estado Pará (GEMPAC)Brazil Local English Founded over 20 years ago, GEMPAC works in the state of Pará in northern Brazil, mobilising women sex workers to confront violence and to challenge the stigma surrounding sex work. The group partners with artists to organise cultural events and uses visual arts as part of its fundraising and awareness-raising campaigns.
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Brazil | Latin America | 2012 |
Kirovograd Regional Department All Ukrainian League “Legalife”, Ukraine
Kirovograd Regional Department All Ukrainian League “Legalife”, UkraineUkraine Local Russian This group is a regional branch of the national sex workers’ organisation All-Ukrainian League ‘Legalife’. Committed to unifying sex workers in the region to advocate for their human rights, the organisation uses peer education and support to build the capacities of individual sex workers. The group also documents cases of police violence against sex workers. Learn more
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Ukraine | Europe | 2012 |
Initiative Group Dignity (Etibor)
Initiative Group Dignity (Etibor)Tajikistan Local English Founded less than two years ago (2010), this self-led group works with sex workers of all genders and sexual orientations. Initiative Group Dignity operates a community centre for sex workers in Dushanbe, advocates against police violence, and offers support services to the children of sex workers.
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Tajikistan | Europe | 2012 |
Sisonke – National Sex Worker Movement of South Africa
Sisonke – National Sex Worker Movement of South AfricaSouth Africa Local English Operating in seven provinces of South Africa, the organisation is building an independent and self-led movement of sex workers. Sisonke provides information to sex workers on accessing social services, such as health care, and on working with the police and court system. The group offers workshops on sexual health, leadership and human rights. Learn more
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South Africa | Africa | 2012 |
Movement for Vulnerability and Empowerment (MOVE)
Movement for Vulnerability and Empowerment (MOVE)Sierra Leone Local English Led by sex workers who are women, this recently established organisation advocates for improved access to health care, particularly in relation to sexual and reproductive health. MOVE has a focus on combating violence, and engages political and religious leaders to educate them about the experiences of sex workers.
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Sierra Leone | Africa | 2012 |
Aids Acodev Cameroun
Aids Acodev CamerounCameroon Local French This association of sex workers mainly operates in Douala, Cameroon’s main industrial and harbor city. The group provides health and HIV information and services to sex workers of all genders. Aids Acodev reaches out to potential allies and the media to bring attention to the stigma, discrimination, and rights violations that sex workers face.
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Cameroon | Africa | 2012 |
Action Humanitaire pour la Sante et le Developpement (AHUSADEC)
Action Humanitaire pour la Sante et le Developpement (AHUSADEC)Democratic Republic of the Congo Local French The Bukavu branch of AHUSADEC is a sex worker-led group that operates in Kivu province. It provides a safe space for sex workers where it offers health information and documents cases of violence which it brings to police and court. Through radio shows the group aims to promote its work and educate the public about human rights.
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Democratic Republic of the Congo | Africa | 2012 |
Hong Kong Transgender Migrant Service Workers Network (HKTGMSWN)
Hong Kong Transgender Migrant Service Workers Network (HKTGMSWN)Hong Kong Local English This emerging group in Hong Kong reaches out to migrant transgender sex workers with HIV and STI prevention information, legal support, and human rights capacity-building support, provided by peer educators. The group combats stigma and discrimination faced by transgender sex workers through public awareness campaigns. The ‘Don’t Cut my Hair Campaign’ addresses the humiliation faced by trans women in prisons in Hong Kong who are ordinarily placed in the men’s department and forced to cut their hair short.
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Hong Kong | Asia/Pacific | 2013 |
SCOT-PEP
SCOT-PEPUnited Kingdom National English Founded in 1989, this is the oldest organisation that is led by sex workers in Scotland. It campaigns for sex work to be recognised both socially and legally as work, and for sex workers’ voices to be included in public debates. SCOT-PEP lobbies the Scottish parliament for the decriminalisation of sex work and against the ‘Safer Lives, Changed Lives’ policy strategy which aims to eradicate violence against women and defines sex work as exploitation, irrespective of the opinion of the women involved. Learn more
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United Kingdom | Europe | 2013 |
Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)
Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)Regional Network - Hungary Based International English This regional network unites sex workers and their allies from 18 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the struggle to promote the human rights and improve the quality of life of sex workers. It provides a joint advocacy platform for sex workers’ voices in regional and national debates on health, labour rights, and safety for sex workers of all genders and exposes violence against sex workers. Learn more
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Regional Network - Hungary Based | Europe | 2013 |
Syndicat du Travail Sexuel (STRASS)
Syndicat du Travail Sexuel (STRASS)France Local, National English This national union represents the interests of sex workers of all genders and backgrounds, and from all branches of the sex industry in France through public education, advocacy and strategic litigation. The group campaigns for the legal recognition of sex work as work, and counters discrimination and stigmatisation with the aim to create an environment of respect and inclusiveness towards sex workers. Self-organisation of sex workers is encouraged through the creation of local federations in different cities. Learn more
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France | Europe | 2013 |
Red Umbrella Project (RedUP)
Red Umbrella Project (RedUP)United States Local, Subnational English This New York-based group organises theatre, storytelling and memoir writing programmes in which sex workers of all genders share experiences with a wide audience to reduce stigma and fight discrimination. The group campaigns for improvements in legislation, such as the ‘No Condoms as Evidence’ campaign, which aims to ban the use of condoms as evidence of prostitution-related offenses. The group builds the leadership skills and capacity of sex workers through trainings that enable them to run their own advocacy campaigns. Learn more
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United States | North America/Caribbean | 2013 |
Women of Power Initiative (WOPI)
Women of Power Initiative (WOPI)Nigeria Local English This emerging group of sex workers includes many migrants in the capital city of Lagos. WOPI runs a nightly outreach programme, offering HIV testing and counselling services. The group also trains sex workers in leadership skills and builds their knowledge on sexual and human rights advocacy as a strategy to counter violence and abuse.
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Nigeria | Africa | 2013 |
Petubuhan Advokasi Masayrakat Terpinggir (PAMT)
Petubuhan Advokasi Masayrakat Terpinggir (PAMT)Malaysia Local, Subnational, National English Established in 2011, this organisation supports sex workers’ access to health care through peer education, condom distribution and referrals to health and social services. The group supports sex workers in setting up their own support groups, and aims to improve the living and working conditions of sex workers in the country. With the Red Umbrella Fund grant, PAMT will set up a crisis response team to support sex workers who face violence, exploitation, and arrest.
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Malaysia | Asia/Pacific | 2013 |
Vietnam Network of Sex Workers (VNSW)
Vietnam Network of Sex Workers (VNSW)Vietnam Local, National English This network unites female sex workers who are organised in peer support groups in 16 provinces. It aims to represent the voice of sex workers at national level to improve laws, policies, and practices that impact on sex workers’ lives. Sex workers benefit from the trainings in computer, fundraising and management skills organised by the network. Established in 2012, the network is developing its first strategic plan with support from the Red Umbrella Fund. Learn more
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Vietnam | Asia/Pacific | 2013 |
African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)
African Sex Worker Alliance (ASWA)Regional Network - Kenya Based International English This regional network unites sex worker groups from 11 countries and seeks to expand its membership to include all countries on the African continent. It provides strategic advice, networking opportunities, capacity-building tools and financial support to local sex workers’ groups that work to improve their access to health services and labour rights. Its membership includes groups working with women, men and trans sex workers. ASWA represents sex workers’ interest in regional and international processes and platforms. Learn more
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Regional Network - Kenya Based | Africa | 2013 |
Guyana Sex Work Coalition (GSWC)
Guyana Sex Work Coalition (GSWC)Guyana Local English This group provides peer-to-peer support and training to sex workers in Guyana and the wider Caribbean region to build their knowledge and confidence to stand up for their rights, including the right to be protected from police violence, to access HIV/AIDS and other health services, and for their work to be recognised as work. The group trains health providers, police, and the military as a strategy to reduce stigma, discrimination and violence against sex workers.
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Guyana | North America/Caribbean | 2013 |
Organización de Trabajadoras del Sexo (OTS)
Organización de Trabajadoras del Sexo (OTS)El Salvador Local Spanish This group was created in 2004 by sex workers to confront and prevent the discrimination, abuse and violence experienced daily by sex workers at work, within their families, and in society in general by educating the general public about sex workers’ rights. The group reaches women sex workers working on the street and in parks with HIV prevention information and peer support. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will contribute to a field study of the needs of sex workers in 15 municipalities.
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El Salvador | Latin America | 2013 |
Asociación de Mujeres ‘Las Golondrinas’
Asociación de Mujeres ‘Las Golondrinas’Nicaragua Local Spanish Founded in 2004, this organisation works with 12 local groups of female and trans sex workers in different municipalities in central and northern Nicaragua. The group uses mass media to promote labour rights of sex workers and address stigma and discrimination. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will contribute to core costs of the organisation and enable it to conduct trainings on sexual health and human rights for sex workers, and launch a campaign to end violence against sex workers. Learn more
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Nicaragua | Latin America | 2013 |
Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association (Red Umbrella Turkey – Kimizi Semsiye)
Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association (Red Umbrella Turkey – Kimizi Semsiye)Turkey Local, National English This group in Ankara documents violence and other human rights violations against sex workers and provides legal assistance to sex workers of all genders to seek justice. The data that is collected by the group is also used in public awareness raising activities targeting civil society, media and academia and in its lobbying with government officials to improve the legislation that affects sex workers in Turkey. The group also provides training for sex workers on human rights. Learn more
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Turkey | Europe | 2013 |
Public Association Shah-Aiym
Public Association Shah-AiymKyrgyzstan Subnational, National Russian This emerging network aims to strengthen the voice of sex workers in public and policy debates in Kyrgyzstan by uniting sex workers from across the country. The network documents and speaks out against police violence. It also works to ensure that the existing law – which decriminalises sex work – is not undermined by new policies and programmes which are aimed at ending sex trafficking, which often have a negative effect on the rights of sex workers.
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Kyrgyzstan | Europe | 2013 |
Tiyane Vavassate
Tiyane VavassateMozambique Local English Created in 2011, this emerging group brings together sex workers of all genders from three provinces of Mozambique to improve the human rights of sex workers, and end violence and discrimination. The group builds knowledge of sex workers in areas of sexual and reproductive health and human rights, and trains them to become advocates for their own rights. With the Red Umbrella Fund grant, the group will develop its organisational structures and capacities.
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Mozambique | Africa | 2013 |
Silver Rose
Silver RoseRussia Subnational, National Russian Silver Rose is a nation-wide peer support group of sex workers with representation in eight different cities across Russia. It provides health, psychological and legal services and support for sex workers. They advocate for the decriminalisation of sex work in Russia and the abolition of the administrative penalty on prostitution. Learn more
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Russia | Europe | 2014 |
Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association (Red Umbrella Turkey – Kimizi Semsiye)
Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association (Red Umbrella Turkey – Kimizi Semsiye)Turkey Local, National English This group documents violence and other human rights violations against sex workers and provides legal assistance to sex workers of all genders. The group collects data that is used for its public awareness raising activities targeting civil society, media and academia and for lobbying with government officials to improve the legislation that affects sex workers in Turkey. Learn more
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Turkey | Europe | 2014 |
Associação Mulheres Guerreiras
Associação Mulheres GuerreirasBrazil Local Spanish This group of women and trans* sex workers in Campinas aims to end violence from police officers, and tackles stigma and discrimination against sex workers. The group builds solidarity among sex workers, including sex workers living with HIV, particularly in Jardim Itatinga, one of the largest urban sex worker zones in Latin America. Mulheres Guerreiras mobilises sex workers and supporters using arts and cultural events, and engages directly with key decision makers to influence policy and implementation. Learn more
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Brazil | Latin America | 2014 |
Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la Mujer
Fundación Margen de Apoyo y Promoción de la MujerChile Local, Subnational, National Spanish This group promotes the sexual and reproductive health and human rights of women sex workers in Chile. The group reaches around 2000 sex workers across the country through condom distribution, peer education on HIV and human rights, accompaniment of sex workers to health centres and by organising informative workshops. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will enable the group to expand its efforts to build leadership and advocacy skills of sex workers in different parts of the country. Learn more
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Chile | Latin America | 2014 |
Berufsverband Erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen e.V (BesD)
Berufsverband Erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen e.V (BesD)Germany National English This group unites sex workers from all backgrounds and regions of Germany to organise and engage in the public debate around fair and dignified working conditions in sex work. Operating as a professional union, BesD not only amplifies the voices of sex workers in media, public debates and conversations with policymakers, but also fights for improved access to information, training and greater solidarity among the sex worker community. Learn more
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Germany | Europe | 2014 |
Sisonke – National Sex Worker Movement of South Africa
Sisonke – National Sex Worker Movement of South AfricaSouth Africa Local, Subnational, National English This group strives for the recognition of sex work as work and for all sex workers to be treated with respect and dignity. Sisonke fosters solidarity among sex workers, provides educational support and legal services and advocates for better access to health and protection from violence. The Red Umbrella Fund grant contributes to the organisation’s progress towards becoming an independent and united movement, led by sex workers and for all sex workers across South Africa. Learn more
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South Africa | Africa | 2014 |
Ohotu Diamond Women Initiative (Ohotu formerly WOPI)
Ohotu Diamond Women Initiative (Ohotu formerly WOPI)Nigeria Local, Subnational, National English WOPI is the only visible, self-led group of sex workers in Nigeria. The organisation supports female sex workers mobilizing for their rights in the capital Lagos and organizes rallies and media campaigns for decriminalisation. They have been expanding their activities to other parts of the country and are increasing their influence at national level where they advocate for longer-term improvement of sex workers’ living and working condition and the recognition of their human rights. Learn more
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Nigeria | Africa | 2014 |
Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA)
Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA)Kenya National English This national network of sex workers works with and connects 35 sex worker-led organisations in Kenya to improve their skills and knowledge on topics such as organisational development, fundraising and human rights policy advocacy. KESWA organises campaigns to influence law and policy makers at national level to decriminalise sex work and improve living and working conditions for sex workers and end the high levels of violence against sex workers. Learn more
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Kenya | Africa | 2014 |
$carlet Timor Kollectivu
$carlet Timor KollectivuTimor Leste National English This national sex workers’ collective works to improve sex workers’ access to HIV and increase recognition of their human rights, including the right to fair working conditions, and freedom from violence and police harassment. $TK represents sex workers of all genders in government decision-making spaces and civil society, particularly with regard to HIV. Learn more
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Timor Leste | Asia/Pacific | 2015 |
Asociación de Mujeres Meretrices de la República Argentina (AMMAR) (AMMAR)
Asociación de Mujeres Meretrices de la República Argentina (AMMAR) (AMMAR)Argentina Subnational, National Spanish This national network advocates at the national level for the regulation of sex work in Argentina and through its provincial branches across the country. It has been active for more that 20 years and is recognised as a strong, political and influential organization that campaigns with high reach among the community and general society. AMMAR is a founding member of Redtrasex, the Latin American and Caribbean Female Sex Workers Network. Learn more
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Argentina | Latin America | 2015 |
Asociación de Trabajadoras Sexuales Sarita Colonia
Asociación de Trabajadoras Sexuales Sarita ColoniaPeru Local Spanish Sarita Colonia is a women sex worker led organisation based in a remote city of the amazon area in Peru. The group reaches sex workers of different generations as well as indigenous sex workers. The group conducts peer education and capacity building work with sex workers on human rights and HIV. Sarita Colonia aims to influence policies and laws, including regional ordinances, that impact the lives of sex workers. Learn more
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Peru | Latin America | 2015 |
Community United for Safety and Protection (CUSP)
Community United for Safety and Protection (CUSP)United States Local, National English Based in Alaska, this group of sex workers, people who have experienced trafficking and allies works to promote the safety and protection of all people involved in the sex industry in the US. The members include people from diverse genders, ethnicities and backgrounds. CUSP provides a place of safety and protection for sex workers where they can find support and get information about their rights. The group challenges harmful trafficking laws and aims for decriminalisation of sex work through direct lobbying, media outreach and legal action. Learn more
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United States | North America/Caribbean | 2015 |
Desiree Alliance
Desiree AllianceUnited States Local, National English This network of sex worker organisations, communities and individuals across the US organises regular national conference for sex workers . These conferences provide unique opportunities for sex workers and allies to come together to share, learn and strategise for more effective advocacy for sex workers’ rights. Desiree Alliance engages in national and international advocacy by promoting the leadership of sex workers in combating HIV and in United Nations Universal Periodic Review processes. Learn more
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United States | North America/Caribbean | 2015 |
New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance (NJRUA)
New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance (NJRUA)United States Local, Subnational, National English This group amplifies the voices of a diversity of sex workers through media, storytelling, peer-led trainings and creative advocacy programmes, with the aim of reducing stigma, promoting human rights, increasing access to justice and personal development. Learn more
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United States | North America/Caribbean | 2015 |
Alcondoms Cameroun
Alcondoms CamerounCameroon Local, National French This group provides health and HIV services to sex workers of all genders. Alcondoms organises workshops for law enforcement, health care providers and others to promote respect for sex workers’ rights, and to address stigma and violence. The Red Umbrella Fund grant will enable the group to develop advocacy material such as a documentary about the experiences of sex workers in Cameroon. Learn more
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Cameroon | Africa | 2015 |